Growing Asparagus

Aspargus officianalis : Asparagaceae / the asparagus family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
              P P P P  

(Best months for growing Asparagus in Australia - temperate regions)

  • P = Plant crowns

August: frost tender

  • Easy to grow. Plant as crowns. Best planted at soil temperatures between 16°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 40 cm apart
  • Harvest in 2-3 years. Plant 'crowns' to harvest earlier .
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Parsley, Basil, Nasturtiums, Lettuce
  • Avoid growing close to: Garlic, Onions, and root vegetables

Your comments and tips

27 Oct 22, DIEDRE BRAY (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, should asparagus be staked. Every time my asparagus matures the stems always blow over.
30 Oct 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a patch about 1.5m x 1m and I put a few stakes around the edges with 2-3 ropes up the stakes to keep them tidy.
27 Aug 22, LYNETTE J HOULIHAN (Australia - tropical climate)
I bought and planted 4 (2 green, 2 purple) Bunnings asparagus seedlings in a very large trough/planter. I have very healthy looking plants (look like dill) about 45 cms high. Do I Just leave these or is there something I should do. Thanks.
02 Sep 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Just water and fertilise them. Will take 3 years before you start to produce a reasonable crop. Read up about growing them.
02 Sep 22, Veronica (Australia - temperate climate)
Leave them to grow. You can stake them if you prefer. Once they die off, trim off the dead bits. Definitely mark where they are, as they will probably disappear. Do not harvest for at least 2 years.
07 Sep 22, LYNETTE J HOULIHAN (Australia - arid climate)
Thanks.
25 Jul 22, Maura (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Thank you. I will wait until spring next year, even if fronds are browning. I have picked and eaten the emerging early spears. And I have covered the plot with heavy shade mesh on a frame, to avert any frost damage. This is the first time in 5 years that the spears have come up in July!
11 Jul 22, Maura (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Have just cut down old fronds. Noticed a few new asparagus spears coming up. It is still winter, and as we get frosts here in Ballarat, should I cover the crowns with some mesh do that they don’t get burned, or just accept the loss until spring flush?
12 Jul 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Pays to read the notes here. It does say they like cold and frosty weather. Don't cut fronds until end of August.
18 Jul 22, Maura (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Thank you. I cut down the ferns because they were browning. Thought it was correct. That asparagus like cold and frosty weather, do the early emerging spears not get burnt by frost at -3C?
Showing 21 - 30 of 338 comments

I got an asparagus plant last year at a local farmers market, I put it in the ground and just left it. Well this year I have my first lot of spears.. and they are yummo...asparagus require little maintenance and a whole heap of patience!!

- Teash

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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